Sightseeing tours

PRAGUE OLD TOWN & JEWISH QUARTER DISCOVERY TOUR

(Minimum 15 participants required)

Discover the most significant square of historical Prague which originated in the 12th century. It is the very place where the 27 Czech gentlemen were executed on 21th June 1621 and where the history of Czech lands was written many times. Beside the Old Town Hall and the Church of Our Lady before Tyn the square has several other dominants, the baroque St. Nicholas church, the Stone Bell house - a gothic city palace from the 14th century, and the Memorial to Master Jan Hus. During this tour, your guests will have the chance to learn more of the incredible people who made contributions to building the social and cultural center of Prague over the years (amongst others: W. Am. Mozart, Nicollo Paganini, Tycho Brahe (Danish Astonomer) or Franz Kafka (the most celebrated Prague writer of Jewish origin). The Prague meridian can be seen there.

Prague Jewish Town/Prague Ghetto dates back to the 13th century but its present appearance is mainly the result of a vast redevelopment action undertaken between 1893 - 1913. Only a few most significant buildings were saved, the living testimony of the history of Prague Jews that lasted for many centuries. Yet these buildings form the best present complex of Jewish historical monuments in the whole Europe. Six synagogues remain from this old settlement which includes the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery - the most remarkable in Europe. Except the Old-New Synagogue they are part of the Jewish Museum. The tour ends on the Charles Bridge where you can admire the open gallery of sculptures.

PRAGUE CASTLE DISCOVERY TOUR

(Minimum 15 participants required)

Prague Castle is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe. The Prague Castle complex, seat of Czech kings throughout the ages, comprises many buildings, including the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral (Prague's most recognisable landmark), several palaces, a monastery, museums & galleries, viewing towers, St. George's Basilica and the enchanting Golden Lane. The crown jewels are kept in Prague Castle, as are the relics of Bohemian kings, or precious Christian reliquiae. Events important for the whole country have taken place within its walls. So Prague Castle the embodiment of the historical tradition of the Czech state, linking the present with the past.

On the basis of archaeological research Prague Castle was established in the 9th century. A Romanesque palace was erected during the 12th century, and in the 14th century, under the reign of Charles IV, it was rebuilt to Gothic style. A further reconstruction of the Royal Palace then took place under the Jagellons at the end of the 15th century. The builder, Benedikt Rejt, also added the now famous Vladislav Hall. As a result of a big fire in 1541, Prague Castle underwent further works during the 16th century. The Spanish Hall was added during the reign of Rudolf II and final alterations were made by Empress Maria Theresa. After World War I, the interior and gardens of Prague Castle were renovated by the architect J. Plecnik. Today, Prague Castle is the seat of the President of the Czech Republic, and serves as the historical and political centre of both city and state. The Changing of the Guard at the front gates takes place every hour. At noon the ceremony includes a fanfare.

ART NOUVEAU TOUR

(Minimum 15 participants required)

The tour starts at the Wenceslas Square, the central square of Prague, where some of the most significant Art Nouveau buildings and sights are located. The 750m long and 60m wide boulevard was laid out over 600 years ago during the reign of Charles IV and was originally used as the main Prague horse market. Over the years it has been a regular parade ground for all kinds of organisations and political parties. From anti- communist uprisings to winning the World Ice Hockey Championships, this is where Czech's come to protest and to celebrate.

The group will walk down the Square passing by Art Nouveau Hotel Evropa or Lucerna Passage and afterwards continue via Jindrisska Street towards the Mucha Museum which is dedicated to the life and work of the world-acclaimed Czech Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha. The museum is housed in the Baroque Kaunický Palace in the very heart of Prague. A selection of over 100 exhibits comprising paintings, photographs, charcoal drawings, pastels, lithographs and personal memorabilia provides a privileged view into the universe of the artist who is most widely known for the posters he executed for Sarah Bernhardt in the fashionable world of fin-de-siècle Paris.

From the Mucha Museum the tour will continue via Walking zone towards hotel Paříž and the architectural pearl of Prague to the Municipal House – nowadays one of the most important concert halls and gala venues of the capital. The magnificent interiors of the house can be visited. In the Art Nouveau café of the Municipal House coffee break can be served.

KARLŠTEJN CASTLE TOUR

(Minimum 15 participants required)

This Gothic castle, founded in 1348, has a unique position among Czech castles. It was built by Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV as a place for safekeeping the royal treasures, especially Charles's collection of holy relics and the coronation jewels of the Roman Empire. At the outbreak of the Hussite wars the castle became the place for safekeeping of the Czech coronation jewels that were kept here, with the exception of several short-time breaks, for nearly 200 years. The castle was reconstructed in late Gothic style after 1480 and in Renaissance style in the last quarter of the 16th century.

The present appearance of the castle comes from the last reconstruction, which was carried out in the purist neo-Gothic style by architect Josef Mocker at the end of the 19th century. Very impressive is the original step- like order of buildings. Tour includes historical interiors of the Imperial palace and the lower floors of the Marian tower with valuable equipment of 14th to 19th centuries. (Courtier's Hall, Hall of Knights with chapel of St. Nicolas, Chapter Deanery, Royal Bedroom, Audience and Banquet Halls, Hall of Ancestors, Treasury and Jewels Hall, former castle prison).